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The ISO 27001:2022 standard has been amended in 2024 to include climate action considerations . So, if you want to know what you need to do, then read on. With businesses facing mounting pressure to address environmental concerns, ISO has taken a step toward integrating climate change into Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). These updates encourage organisations to adopt a holistic approach to risk management , considering environmental factors that may impact their security landscape. Key Changes in ISO 27001:2022 Amendment 1:2024 The amendment primarily affects Clause 4 , which outlines an organisation’s context and stakeholder expectations. This update acknowledges that external environmental factors, including climate change, can profoundly impact business operations and security postures. 1. Clause 4.1 – Understanding the Organisation and Its Context Organisations must now determine whether climate change is a relevant issue  for their ISMS. Climate-related risks such as natural disasters, regulatory changes, and sustainability policies  must be assessed in terms of their potential impact on information security. Businesses should consider disruptions such as severe weather affecting data centre operations, supply chain vulnerabilities due to environmental events, or new government compliance requirements related to sustainability . 2. Clause 4.2 – Understanding the Needs and Expectations of Interested Parties A new note  clarifies that relevant stakeholders—such as customers, regulators, and industry bodies —may have specific climate-related requirements. Businesses in compliance-heavy industries  or those operating in regions with strict environmental regulations may need to adjust their security policies accordingly. Companies should explore sustainability-driven security initiatives  to align with the expectations of partners and clients who prioritise environmentally responsible practices. Why Does This Matter? ISO 27001 has always prioritised risk management, and this update expands its scope to include climate-related threats . These may include: Physical Risks:  Extreme weather events that threaten data centres, impact supply chains, or disrupt operations . Regulatory Risks:  Stricter government policies on sustainability and carbon emissions  could affect IT infrastructure, data processing, and energy consumption. Reputational Risks:  Companies that fail to address climate-related security concerns may face stakeholder pressure, loss of investor confidence, or diminished customer trust . By recognising these factors within their ISMS, organisations can improve resilience and future-proof their security strategies . What Should Your Organisation Do? To align with this amendment, businesses should take proactive steps: Update risk assessments  to consider climate-related threats to information security. Collaborate with risk management teams to evaluate environmental threats and their effects on digital assets. Engage with stakeholders  to understand their climate-related security expectations. Regulatory bodies, industry groups, and business partners can help define an appropriate security approach. Review business continuity and disaster recovery plans  with climate risks in mind. Ensure continuity plans account for potential disruptions, such as extreme weather affecting key infrastructure. Incorporate sustainability considerations  into security policies. Businesses can explore green data centres, energy-efficient hardware, and digital waste reduction initiatives  to align security practices with environmental responsibility. Stay informed on evolving climate-related regulations  to remain compliant with emerging industry standards. A proactive stance on regulatory changes will help organisations adapt smoothly. Conclusion For full details on this amendment, visit the official ISO website: ISO 27001 Amendment 1:2024 . ISO 27001 Amendment 1:2024 reflects a growing awareness of the link between climate change and information security . While the modifications are relatively minor, they reinforce the need for businesses to adopt a broader risk management approach. By integrating climate considerations into ISMS strategies, organisations can strengthen security, improve compliance, and enhance business resilience . To stay ahead, organisations should embed sustainability into their security framework today—ensuring long-term operational stability and compliance with evolving industry standards .

Introduction Managing technical vulnerabilities is crucial to preventing cyber threats and ensuring the security of an organisation's information systems. ISO 27001 Control 8.8  mandates that organisations identify, evaluate, and address vulnerabilities to mitigate risks effectively. This article outlines best practices for vulnerability management, ensuring compliance with ISO 27001. Purpose of Control 8.8 The objective of this control is to prevent the exploitation of technical vulnerabilities  by implementing structured vulnerability management processes. Organisations must proactively identify, assess, and remediate  vulnerabilities to protect their information assets. Key Components of Technical Vulnerability Management 1. Identifying Technical Vulnerabilities To manage vulnerabilities effectively, organisations must: Maintain an accurate asset inventory  (see ISO 27001 Controls 5.9-5.14) that includes: Software vendor details Software name and version Deployment status (i.e., where the software is installed) Responsible personnel Define roles and responsibilities  for vulnerability management, including: Vulnerability monitoring and assessment Asset tracking Patch management coordination Establish information sources  for vulnerability identification, such as: Security advisories from software vendors Threat intelligence platforms Industry vulnerability databases Require suppliers  to report vulnerabilities in their products (see ISO 27001 Control 5.20). Use vulnerability scanning tools  to identify and verify vulnerabilities. Conduct regular penetration testing  to detect security weaknesses (see ISO 27001 Control 8.28). Track vulnerabilities in third-party libraries and source code . 2. Developing Vulnerability Management Procedures Organisations should establish procedures to: Detect vulnerabilities in internally developed products and services. Receive vulnerability reports  from internal teams and external sources. Provide a public point of contact  for vulnerability disclosures. Implement vulnerability reporting processes , such as online forms and security bulletins. Consider bug bounty programs  to incentivise responsible vulnerability disclosure. 3. Evaluating Technical Vulnerabilities Once a vulnerability is identified, organisations must: Analyse vulnerability reports  to determine the necessary response. Assess risk exposure  and decide on remediation actions, such as: Updating affected systems Implementing compensatory controls Prioritise vulnerabilities based on risk impact and exploitability . 4. Taking Action to Address Vulnerabilities To effectively mitigate risks, organisations should: Implement a software update management process  to ensure systems remain secure. Retain original software versions  while applying tested updates. Establish a timeline for remediation  based on risk severity. Follow change management controls  for critical updates (see ISO 27001 Control 8.32). Use updates only from trusted sources  to prevent supply chain attacks. Test patches and updates  to prevent unintended disruptions. Prioritise high-risk systems for immediate remediation. Validate updates using independent evaluation when necessary. 5. Alternative Measures When Updates Are Not Available If an update cannot be applied, organisations should consider: Implementing vendor-recommended workarounds . Disabling vulnerable features  or services. Strengthening access controls  and network segmentation (see ISO 27001 Controls 8.20-8.22). Deploying virtual patching  solutions, such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs). Enhancing security monitoring  to detect potential attacks. Raising awareness  about vulnerabilities and mitigation measures. 6. Monitoring and Evaluating Vulnerability Management To ensure ongoing effectiveness, organisations must: Maintain audit logs  of all vulnerability management actions. Regularly review and refine  vulnerability management processes. Align vulnerability management with incident response plans  (see ISO 27001 Control 5.26). Establish agreements with cloud service providers  to manage vulnerabilities in cloud environments (see ISO 27001 Control 5.23). Challenges in Managing Technical Vulnerabilities 1. Cloud Service Dependencies For organisations relying on third-party cloud services , it is essential to: Define responsibilities for vulnerability management  in cloud service agreements. Ensure providers implement effective patch management . Monitor provider-reported vulnerabilities and remediation actions. 2. False Positives and Defence in Depth Vulnerability scanning tools may report vulnerabilities in layered security controls  that are mitigated by additional defences. Organisations must: Carefully evaluate scan results before taking action. Ensure countermeasures are effective before remediation. 3. Managing Updates and Patch Failures Software updates can sometimes introduce unexpected issues . Organisations should: Perform risk assessments  before applying patches. Consider delaying updates in high-risk environments  until user feedback is available. Implement automated update processes  where appropriate. Retain control over update timing for business-critical applications . Conclusion Effective technical vulnerability management  is essential for maintaining information security and ensuring compliance with ISO 27001 Control 8.8 . By adopting a structured approach  to vulnerability identification, assessment, and remediation, organisations can reduce security risks and enhance resilience against cyber threats. A proactive vulnerability management strategy , combined with rigorous risk assessment and security monitoring , enables organisations to stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain a robust security posture.

Introduction Malware poses a significant risk to organisational security, with threats ranging from viruses and worms to ransomware and spyware. ISO 27001 Control 8.7  focuses on implementing robust protection mechanisms to safeguard information and associated assets against malware. This article outlines the purpose, key measures, and best practices for achieving compliance with this control. Purpose of Control 8.7 The primary objective of Control 8.7 is to ensure that information and assets are adequately protected from malware threats. This is achieved through a combination of technical controls , user awareness , and proactive security measures  that help prevent, detect, and mitigate malware infections. Key Measures for Malware Protection To effectively implement Control 8.7, organisations should adopt a multi-layered approach  to malware protection, including: 1. Implementing Rules and Controls to Prevent Unauthorised Software Utilising application allowlisting  to permit only approved software (see ISO 27001 Controls 8.19 and 8.32). Preventing the execution of unauthorised or potentially malicious  software. 2. Blocking Malicious Websites and Content Using blocklists  to prevent access to known malicious websites. Employing web filtering  technologies to restrict harmful content. 3. Reducing System Vulnerabilities Implementing a technical vulnerability management  process (see ISO 27001 Controls 8.8 and 8.19). Regularly patching operating systems and applications to mitigate known vulnerabilities. 4. Conducting Regular System Validations Running automated scans  to validate software integrity. Investigating and mitigating unauthorised files or amendments . 5. Controlling File and Software Acquisition Ensuring secure file transfer and software downloads . Verifying sources before installing new software. 6. Deploying and Updating Malware Detection Tools Installing and maintaining anti-malware software . Running regular scans  on: Files received via network transfers or storage media. Email attachments and instant messaging downloads. Web pages before access. 7. Strategic Placement of Malware Detection Tools Using a defence-in-depth approach , deploying anti-malware at: Network gateways (email, file transfer, web traffic monitoring). Endpoints such as user devices and servers. Addressing evasive malware techniques , such as encrypted file-based threats. 8. Protecting Against Malware in Maintenance and Emergencies Establishing strict protocols for software maintenance to prevent malware introduction . Ensuring emergency procedures do not bypass security controls. 9. Managing Exceptions to Malware Protection Measures Implementing a process for disabling malware protection  when required. Defining approval authorities , justification documentation, and review dates. 10. Preparing for Malware Incidents Developing business continuity plans  for malware recovery (see ISO 27001 Control 8.13). Maintaining secure backups  (online and offline) for recovery purposes. Isolating high-risk environments  where a malware outbreak could cause severe consequences. 11. Defining Responsibilities and Response Procedures Establishing clear policies  on malware protection. Training employees on reporting and responding to malware threats. Implementing incident response plans  for malware-related breaches. 12. Enhancing User Awareness and Training Educating users on how to identify and prevent malware infections. Providing training on safe email and web practices  (see ISO 27001 Control 6.3). Keeping awareness materials up to date with current malware threats. 13. Staying Updated on Emerging Malware Threats Subscribing to reputable threat intelligence sources . Verifying malware alerts from trusted security vendors . Challenges in Implementing Malware Protection Some systems, such as industrial control systems (ICS) , may not support traditional anti-malware solutions. In such cases, alternative protection methods should be considered, including: Network segmentation. Application control measures. Monitoring system integrity. Additionally, some malware infections compromise firmware and operating systems , requiring full reinstallation to restore security. Conclusion ISO 27001 Control 8.7  provides a structured approach to malware protection, emphasising a combination of technical controls, user awareness, and proactive defence measures. By implementing these best practices, organisations can effectively mitigate the risk of malware infections and maintain robust security resilience. Adopting a layered security strategy , maintaining regular system updates, and fostering a culture of security awareness are key to defending against evolving malware threats. Ensuring compliance with Control 8.7 strengthens overall information security and supports ISO 27001 certification efforts.